Semiconductor device capable of switching operation modes

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first pad, a second pad, and a third pad that are placed along one side of a perimeter of the substrate, a circuit that is formed above the substrate, and that is coupled to the first pad, a first external terminal that is coupled to the second pad, and a second external terminal that is coupled to the third pad, wherein the circuit generates a signal indicative of a connection configuration between the first pad and the first external terminal, wherein the third pad is placed adjacent to one of the first pad and the second pad, wherein, in a direction parallel to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, the first pad, the second pad and the third pad have a first width, a second width and a third width, respectively, and wherein each of the first width of the first pad and the second width of the second pad is smaller than the third width of the third pad.

The present application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/801,651, filed on Jun. 18, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,994,437, which is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/222,642, filed on Aug. 13, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,763,812, which is based on Japanese patent application No. 2008-89789, filed on Mar. 31, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device that switches operation modes based on the presence or absence of bonding.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is a common practice to form circuits for implementing different multiple functions on a substrate (chip) in advance, select a specific function that meets the user's request upon assembly into a semiconductor device, and customize the semiconductor device by activating a circuit that has the selected function. With this, a semiconductor device that fulfills users' individual requests can be manufactured while reducing the total manufacture cost by making a general-purpose chip.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,879 describes a technology of selecting any one of multiple operation modes based on whether or not an external terminal (power supply external terminal, ground external terminal, or reset external terminal) is bonded to an internal terminal (mode pad), which is provided on a chip for operation mode selection. This technology enables a semiconductor device to select an operation mode only based on the presence or absence of bonding without newly installing an external terminal through which special signals for operation mode selection are supplied.

Internal terminals through which signals are input from and output to the outside of a chip are placed along the perimeter of the chip. In a central area of the chip that is surrounded by the pads, various circuits are formed. The recent advancement in miniaturization and multi-layer wiring has made it possible to mount numerous circuits to a chip. However, a chip cannot have more circuits without an accompanying increase in the number of pads required to be placed along the perimeter of the chip and, for some products, the number of pads required to be placed along the perimeter of the chip determines the chip size.

The present inventor has recognized that, in a chip where various circuits for satisfying individual users' requests and mode pads for operation mode selection are mounted, adding a mode pad increases the chip size. Specifically, what is important is to keep the chip size from increasing while trying to meet requests of users as much as possible by mounting circuits that implement different multiple functions to the chip.

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to solve one or more of the above problems, or to improve upon those problems at least in part.

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a substrate; a first internal terminal, a second internal terminal, a third internal terminal, and a fourth internal terminal which are placed along perimeter of the substrate; a circuit formed on the substrate and coupled to the first internal terminal; a first external terminal coupled to the second internal terminal; a second external terminal coupled to the third internal terminal; and a third external terminal coupled to the fourth internal terminal and placed beside one side of the substrate where the second external terminal is located. The circuit outputs a signal indicative of a connection state between the first internal terminal and the first external terminal. A distance between centers of the first internal terminal and the second internal terminal is L1 in a direction parallel to one side of the substrate beside which the first external terminal is placed. A distance between centers of the third internal terminal and the fourth internal terminal is L2 in a direction parallel to the one side of the substrate beside which the second external terminal and the third external terminal are placed. In this case, the distance L1 is set smaller than the distance L2.

With this structure, compared to a case where all internal terminals are spaced apart by the distance L1, the length of the periphery of the substrate which is determined by the number of internal terminals is reduced by L2−L1.

Therefore, when a product whose substrate size is determined by the number of internal terminals required to be placed along the perimeter of the substrate is to meet users' individual requests by adding an operation mode selection internal terminal, the substrate can be smaller in an area according to the present invention where an operation mode selection internal terminal and an internal terminal connected to an external terminal that is in some cases connected to the operation mode selection internal terminal are at the distance L2 from each other, than in a case where those internal terminals are spaced apart by the distance L1.

In another embodiment, a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a substrate; a first internal terminal, a second internal terminal, a third internal terminal, and a fourth internal terminal which are placed along perimeter of the substrate; and a circuit formed on the substrate and coupled to the first internal terminal. The first internal terminal and the second internal terminal are connectable to a first external terminal. The third internal terminal is connectable to a second external terminal. The fourth internal terminal is connectable to a third external terminal. The circuit outputs a signal indicative of a connection state between the first internal terminal and the first external terminal is. A distance between centers of the first internal terminal and the second internal terminal is L1 in a direction parallel to one side of the perimeter of the substrate where one of the first internal terminal and the second internal terminal is placed. A distance between centers of the third internal terminal and the fourth internal terminal is L2 in a direction parallel to one side of the perimeter of the substrate where the third internal terminal and the fourth internal terminal are placed. In this case, the distance L1 is set smaller than the distance L2.

With this structure where the interval between some of internal terminals is L1, which is a shorter distance than L2, the length of the periphery of the substrate which is determined by the number of internal terminals is reduced that much.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a semiconductor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed structural diagram of the semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a distance L1 and distance L2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the distance L1 and distance L2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the distance L1 and distance L2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the distance L1 and distance L2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the distance L1 and distance L2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the distance L1 and distance L2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the distance L1 and distance L2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the distance L1 and distance L2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of an operation mode selection circuit 8 a according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of an operation mode selection circuit 8 b according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the operation mode selection circuit 8 b shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of the operation mode selection circuit 8 b shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating still another modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating yet still another modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating yet still another modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating yet still another modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating yet still another modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view along line D-D′ in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating yet still another modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 24 is a cross sectional view along line E-E′ in FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will be now described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many alternative embodiments can be accomplished using the teachings of the present invention and that the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated for explanatory purposes. Identical components are denoted by the same reference symbols in order to avoid repetitive descriptions.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a semiconductor device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the semiconductor device 1 has a substrate (chip) 2, multiple bonding wires 6, multiple external terminals (leads) 5 respectively connected to the chip 2 by the multiple bonding wires 6, and a mold resin 3.

Multiple internal terminals (pads) 4 are placed along the perimeter of the chip 2. An internal circuit 7 is formed in an area on the chip 2 that is within the square of the pads 4. The internal circuit 7 contains an operation mode selection circuit, and functional blocks (for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and peripheral circuits (an input/output circuit, a protection circuit, and the like)) as well.

The pads 4 include a pad for operation mode selection (mode pad) in addition to usual pads such as a pad to which a power supply electric potential is supplied, a pad connected to a ground electric potential, a pad to which a reset signal is input, and a pad for communicating input/output signals. The mode pad is connected to the operation mode selection circuit within the internal circuit 7, and the operation mode selection circuit selects a specific operation mode from among multiple operation modes based on whether bonding to the mode pad is detected or not. Note that when an external terminal (lead) is bonded to the mode pad, two bonding wires 6 are connected to one lead 5 as shown in FIG. 1.

By selecting an operation mode, bus protocol settings (for example, whether it is an operation mode in which data is output in one bit or an operation mode in which data is output in four bits is set), reliability level settings (for example, whether it is an operation mode that enables an error correction function or an operation mode that disables the error correction function is set), and the like can be enabled. The initially set operation mode thus makes the semiconductor device 1 operate in a manner that meets the user's request.

FIG. 2 shows details of a portion A circled by the dotted line shown in FIG. 1. The leads 5 include next four types of leads, 5 a to 5 d. The lead 5 a is a reset external terminal for inputting a reset signal from the outside into the chip 2. The lead 5 b is a signal external terminal for communicating input/output signals between the chip 2 and the outside. The lead 5 c is a power supply external terminal for supplying a power supply electric potential to the chip 2. The lead 5 d is a ground external terminal connected to an external ground electric potential.

The pads 4 include next five types of pads 4 a to 4 e. The pad 4 a is a reset internal terminal (reset pad) which is connected to the lead 5 a by the bonding wires 6 a to receive a reset signal. The pad 4 a is pulled up (because it is low-active (active LOW)) by a pull-up resistor 10 to output the reset signal to the operation mode selection circuit 8, and the functional block 9.

The pad 4 b is a signal internal terminal (signal pad) which is connected to the lead 5 b by one of the bonding wires 6 b to communicate input/output signals. The pad 4 b is pulled down by a pull-down resistor 11 (or by a pull-up resistor instead), and connected to the functional block 9.

The pad 4 c is a power supply internal terminal (power supply pad) which is connected to the lead 5 c by one of the bonding wires 6 c to receive a power supply electric potential. The pad 4 c outputs a power supply electric potential supplied from the outside to the operation mode selection circuit 8 and the functional block 9.

The pad 4 d is an internal terminal for operation mode selection (mode pad) and is connected to the operation mode selection circuit 8. The pad 4 d and the lead 5 c are bonded to each other in some cases and not bonded in other cases. Whether the lead 5 c and the pad 4 d are bonded or not is utilized in selecting an operation mode. In the drawings, the bonding wire 6 that connects the pad 4 d to the lead 5 c is represented by a dotted line since the lead 5 c and the pad 4 d are not always bonded.

The pad 4 e is a ground internal terminal (ground pad) which is connected to the lead 5 d by one of the bonding wires 6 to be connected to a ground electric potential. The pad 4 e is connected to the operation mode selection circuit 8 and the functional block 9.

The functional block 9 is connected to the pads 4 (pads 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4 e), and an output (operation mode switching signal) from the operation mode selection circuit 8 is input to the functional block 9. The functional block 9 causes the circuit to operate in an operation mode that is selected in accordance with the input operation mode switching signal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the interval between normal pads, specifically, the distance from the center of the pad 4 a to the center of the pad 4 b that is immediately next to the pad 4 a, or the distance between the centers of the adjacent pads 4 b, is given as L1. The interval between a mode pad and a normal pad that may be bonded to the same lead as this mode pad, specifically, the distance from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of the pad 4 d, is given as L2. Note that of the distances L1 and L2, only components that are of consideration are ones in a direction parallel to one side of the chip 2 beside which a lead that is bonded (is bonded in some cases and not bonded in other cases) to the pads 4 is placed (H1 in FIG. 2). In the present invention, the distances L1 and L2 satisfy a relation L1>L2. A direction parallel to H1 of FIG. 2 may also be expressed as a direction parallel to one side of the perimeter of the chip 2 where the pads 4 are arranged, since the pads 4 are placed along the perimeter of the chip 2.

The distance L1 and the distance L2 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10. The pad 4 a and the pad 4 b are taken here as an example for describing the distance L.

The distance L1 may be long enough to keep adjacent bonding wires 6 from coming into contact with each other, or a distance at which the probability of adjacent bonding wires 6 coming into contact with each other is low. The bonding wires 6 can come into contact with each other in the following two cases.

The first case is that, when the chip 2 is sealed with the mold resin 3, the resin sweeps the bonding wires 6 away from their original locations, bringing them into contact with neighboring bonding wires 6. If the interval between adjacent pads 4 is too narrow, the distance between the bonding wires 6 that are connected to those pads 4 is accordingly closer, and a slight positional shift of the bonding wires 6 during resin sealing can easily cause a loose connection between the bonding wires 6.

FIG. 3 shows a case in which the pad interval is set to the distance L1 at which the probability of a loose connection between the bonding wires 6 is low enough. As shown in FIG. 3, with the pad interval set to the appropriate distance L1, a loose connection between the bonding wire 6 a and the bonding wire 6 b does not occur when the chip 2 is sealed with the mold resin 3. Note that the distance L1 in this case is determined by the relation between the length of the bonding wires 6 and the distances from the leads 5 to the pads 4 (how slack the bonding wires 6 are), the flow rate of the mold resin 3 during sealing, and the like in a comprehensive manner.

FIG. 4, on the other hand, shows a case in which the pad interval is not set to the distance L1 at which the probability of a loose connection between the bonding wires 6 is low enough. In FIG. 4, the distance from the center of the pad 4 a to the center of the pad 4 b is L1 a, which is smaller than L1 (L1 a<L1). A loose connection between the bonding wire 6 a and the bonding wire 6 b therefore occurs during sealing with the mold resin 3. In the example of FIG. 4, the bonding wire 6 a is swept away and brought into contact with the bonding wire 6 b.

The second case is a contact between the bonding wires 6 due to a mechanically-caused shift in bonding position. Misalignment to a certain extent is usual when adhering the bonding wires 6 to the pads 4. FIG. 5 shows connection ranges 12 as regions containing a range of a positional shift in connecting the bonding wires 6 to the pads 4. Here, a connection range for the connection of the bonding wire 6 a to the pad 4 a is denoted by 12 a, and a connection range for the connection of the bonding wire 6 b to the pad 4 b is denoted by 12 b. The pad 4 a and the pad 4 b in FIG. 5 are arranged such that the connection range 12 a and the connection range 12 b do not overlap each other. The distance from the center of the pad 4 a to the center of the pad 4 b is thus set to the appropriate distance L1 and, accordingly, the bonding wires 6 a and 6 b can be adhered to the chip 2 while avoiding a contact between the bonding wire 6 a and the bonding wire 6 b. Desirably, the bonding wires 6 are adhered with their tips (balls) contained completely within the pads 4 as shown in FIG. 3. However, the bonding wires 6 may be adhered with their balls resting partially the outside of the pads 4 as shown in FIG. 5, as long as electrical connection is secured.

FIG. 6, on the other hand, shows a case in which the connection range 12 a and the connection range 12 b overlap each other. The distance from the center of the pad 4 a to the center of the pad 4 b in this case is L1 b, which is smaller than L1 (L1 b<L1). The bonding wires 6 a and 6 b may therefore be in contact with each other when adhered to the chip 2. In the example of FIG. 6, the balls of the bonding wires 6 a and 6 b are adhered to the region where the connection range 12 a and the connection range 12 b overlap each other, and a loose connection between the bonding wire 6 a and the bonding wire 6 b is caused as a result.

When a bonding wire is to be adhered to a pad with a ball of the bonding wire contained completely within the pad, the pad size can be reduced down to the diameter of the ball of the bonding wire at minimum. In this case, assuming that the possibility of a loose contact between bonding wires during resin sealing is not taken into consideration and that a positional shift does not to occur when connecting the bonding wires to the pads, the pad interval equals to the minimum formation dimensions of the material (metal, for example) of the pads. FIG. 7 shows metal wiring lines 13, which connect the pad 4 a and the pad 4 b to the internal circuit 7 separately, and a wiring width Z1 of the metal wiring lines 13. As shown in FIG. 7, the interval between the pad 4 a and the pad 4 b can be narrowed down to Z1 at minimum.

The distance L2 is described next. The most significant difference from the distance L1 is that the distance L2 can be determined without taking into consideration a loose contact between the bonding wires 6. As shown in FIG. 8, the bonding wire 6 c and the bonding wire 6 d are connected to the same lead 5 c, and a contact between the bonding wire 6 c and the bonding wire 6 d which could occur during resin sealing does not cause a problem. In other words, unlike the distance L1 which needs to take into consideration a loose contact between the bonding wires 6 in resin sealing, the distance L2 from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of the pad 4 d can be set shorter.

The connection ranges 12 in the case of the distance L2 are discussed next as in the description of the distance L1. A connection range 12 c is for the connection of the bonding wire 6 c to the pad 4 c and a connection range 12 d is for the connection of the bonding wire 6 d to the pad 4 d. As shown in FIG. 9, the connection range 12 c of the pad 4 c and the connection range 12 d of the pad 4 d are allowed to overlap each other to an extent which does not allow the connection range 12 c to meet the pad 4 d, or which does not allow the connection range 12 d to meet the pad 4 c. Since the bonding wire 6 c and the bonding wire 6 d are connected to the same lead 5 c, a ball of the bonding wire 6 c and a ball of the bonding wire 6 d can be in contact with each other without causing a problem when adhered to the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d, respectively. Therefore, no problem arises from a state in which the connection range 12 c and the connection range 12 d overlap each other with a part of the ball of the bonding wire 6 c connected to a part of the ball of the bonding wire 6 d as shown in FIG. 9.

As mentioned above, the overlap has to be limited to an extent which does not allow the connection range 12 c to meet the pad 4 d, or which does not allow the connection range 12 d to meet the pad 4 c. This is because, if the connection range 12 c meets the pad 4 d, the bonding wire 6 c may be bonded directly to the pad 4 d instead of through the bonding wire 6 d. The same applies to the positional relation between the connection range 12 d and the pad 4 c.

In FIG. 5, the dimension of the pad 4 a and the pad 4 b each in a direction in which the pads 4 a and 4 b are lined up (longitudinal direction) is given as Y1, and the distance from an end of the pad 4 a to the adjacent end of the pad 4 b is given as X1. The dimension of the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d shown in FIG. 9 is set to Y1 as in FIG. 5. In FIG. 9 where the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d can be closer to each other by the overlap than the pads 4 a and 4 b, a distance X2 between an end of the pad 4 c and the adjacent end of the pad 4 d satisfies a relation X2<X1. In short, L2=Y1/2+X2+Y1/2=Y1+X2 in FIG. 9, whereas L1=Y1/2+X1+Y1/2=Y1+X1 in FIG. 5, and the distance L2 can thus be shorter than the distance L1 by X1−X2 (which corresponds to the overlap between the connection range 12 c and the connection range 12 d).

FIG. 10 shows a case of employing pads that are smaller in size than the pads of FIG. 5. In FIG. 10, the dimension of the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d each in a direction in which the pads 4 c and 4 d are lined up (longitudinal direction) is given as Y2, and the distance from an end of the pad 4 c to the adjacent end of the pad 4 d is given as X1. Y2 is smaller than Y1 (Y2<Y1). Since the distance from an end of the pad 4 c to the adjacent end of the pad 4 d in FIG. 10 is X1 as in FIG. 5, the reduced size of the pads 4 c and 4 d in FIG. 10 creates an overlapping region between the connection range 12 c and the connection range 12 d, allowing the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d to be closer to each other by the overlap. In short, L2=Y2/2+X2+Y2/2=Y2+X1 in FIG. 10 whereas L1=Y1+X1 in FIG. 5, and the distance L2 can thus be shorter than the distance L1 by Y1−Y2 (which corresponds to the overlap between the connection range 12 c and the connection range 12 d).

The bonding wire 6 c and the bonding wire 6 d, which are connected (connected in some cases and not connected in other cases) to the same lead 5 c, do not cause a problem when adhered to the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d, respectively, with their balls in contact with each other in the overlapping region as shown in FIG. 10. However, the bonding wire 6 c and the pad 4 c need to be electrically connected to each other, and it is not allowed to reduce the size of the pad 4 c to the extent that the ball of the bonding wire 6 c completely falls off the pad 4 c. The same applies to the pad 4 d.

The distance L2 from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of the pad 4 d can thus be shorter than the distance L1 from the center of the pad 4 a to the center of the pad 4 b by the overlap between the connection range 12 c and the connection range 12 d. In short, the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d are positioned in relation to each other such that the distance L2 from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of the pad 4 d and the distance L1 from the center of the pad 4 a to the center of the pad 4 b satisfy at least a relation L2<L1.

The description given next is about the operation mode selection circuit 8. Two different circuit structures are described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of an operation mode selection circuit 8 a. Power supply relations (connections with the pad 4 c and the pad 4 e) are omitted from the circuit diagram. The operation mode selection circuit 8 a does not always need reset signals. Therefore, wiring for reset signals is omitted from FIG. 11.

The operation mode selection circuit 8 a is constituted of a pull-down resistor 14. The pull-down resistor 14 is connected to the pad 4 d. The operation mode selection circuit 8 a receives an input of an electric potential from the pad 4 d, and outputs an operation mode switching signal to the functional block 9.

The operation mode selection circuit 8 a generates operation mode switching signals based on the presence or absence of the bonding wire 6 d which connects the pad 4 d and the lead 5 c to each other. Specifically, when the pad 4 d and the lead 5 c are bonded by the bonding wire 6 d, the pad 4 d receives a power supply electric potential from the lead 5 c and shifts to a voltage that indicates a logical level H. Based on the signal that indicates the logical level H, the operation mode selection circuit 8 a outputs an H-level operation mode switching signal.

When the pad 4 d and the lead 5 c are not bonded by the bonding wire 6 d, on the other hand, the pull-down resistor 14 shifts the pad 4 d to an electric potential that indicates a logical level L. Based on the signal that indicates the logical level L, the operation mode selection circuit 8 a outputs an L-level operation mode switching signal.

In this way, the functional block 9 receives from the operation mode selection circuit 8 a one of an H-level operation mode switching signal and an L-level operation mode switching signal which reflect the presence and absence of the bonding wire 6 d, respectively, and activates a circuit that implements a specific function relevant to the selected operation mode.

Described next with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14 are the operation mode selection circuit 8 that is different from the one shown in FIG. 11 and operation of this circuit, which is denoted by 8 a. FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of the operation mode selection circuit 8 b. Power supply relations (connections with the pad 4 c and the pad 4 e) are omitted from the circuit diagram.

The operation mode selection circuit 8 b is composed of the pull-down resistor 14, an inverter 15, a switching circuit (N-channel (Nch) transistor) 16, a logical circuit (OR gate) 17, and a holding circuit 18. The pull-down resistor 14 is connected to the pad 4 d through the Nch transistor 16. The inverter 15 is connected to the pad 4 a, the OR gate 17, and the holding circuit 18 to receive a reset signal from the pad 4 a and output a signal that is obtained by the logic inversion of the reset signal to the OR gate 17 and the holding circuit 18. An output of the inverter 15 and a signal obtained by the logic inversion of an output of the holding circuit 18 are input to the OR gate 17. The output of the OR gate 17 is connected to a gate of the Nch transistor 16. The input of the holding circuit 18 is connected to the pad 4 d, and the output of the holding circuit 18 is connected to the functional block 9. The holding circuit 18 receives an L-level output of the inverter 15 and holds (latches) the output. When it is an H-level output that is received from the inverter 15, the holding circuit outputs the input value as it is (lets the signal pass through). The functional block 9 receives an output from the holding circuit 18 as an operation mode switching signal.

The operation of the operation mode selection circuit 8 b is described next. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are timing charts illustrating the operation of the operation mode selection circuit 8 b shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 shows operation timing for a case where the lead 5 c and the pad 4 d are bonded to each other by the bonding wire 6 d. The electric potential of the pad 4 d (N1) which is connected to the lead 5 c by the bonding wire 6 d is one that indicates the H level throughout the entire period (t0˜t3).

In a period t0˜t1 where the reset signal (N2) is at the H level, the output (N3) of the inverter 15 is at the L level and the output (N4) of the holding circuit 18 is held (at an indefinite value). The signal (N5) obtained by the logic inversion of the output of the holding circuit 18 and the output (N6) of the OR gate 17 are therefore indefinite values.

At t1, the reset signal (N2) changes from the H level to the L level. Accordingly, the holding circuit 18 receives an H-level output (N3) of the inverter 15, the output (N4) of the holding circuit 18 is at the H level, and the signal (N5) obtained by the logic inversion of the output of the holding circuit 18 is at the L level. The OR gate 17 receives an H-level output (N3) of the inverter 15, which changes the output (N6) of the OR gate 17 to the H level. This turns the Nch transistor 16 ON, but the pad 4 d (N1), which is bonded by the bonding wire 6 d, remains at an electric potential that indicates the H level.

At t2, the reset signal (N2) changes from the L level to the H level, changing the output (N3) of the inverter 15 from the H level to the L level. The output (N4) of the holding circuit 18 is held as a result. In short, a period between t1 and t2 is an operation mode selection period where the pull-down resistor 14 is connected to the pad 4 d, and the operation mode is established at the timing of t2. For example, when an H-level operation mode switching signal is to prompt a switch to Operation Mode One and an L-level operation mode switching signal is to prompt a switch to Operation Mode Two, the operation mode settles at Operation Mode One at t2 and the semiconductor device 1 operates in this mode from then on.

Besides, at t2, the output (N3) of the inverter 15 and the signal (N5) obtained by the logic inversion of the output of the holding circuit 18 are both changed to the L level. As a result, the output (N6) of the OR gate 17 changes to the L level and the Nch transistor 16 is turned OFF. In other words, when the pad 4 d is bonded to the lead 5 c by the bonding wire 6 d, the pull-down resistor 14 is disconnected from the pad 4 d at t2, where the operation mode is established, and subsequent periods.

In the case where the pad 4 d is bonded by the bonding wire 6 d, a power supply electric potential is supplied from the lead 5 c to the pad 4 d. Keeping the pull-down resistor 14 connected to the pad 4 d in this case means that consumption current constantly flows from the pad 4 d into the pull-down resistor 14. The pull-down resistor 14 cannot be set to a large resistivity above a certain level in consideration of noise resistance. In short, the operation mode selection circuit 8 b can keep small the idle power consumption which is observed while the pad 4 d is bonded by the bonding wire 6 d.

FIG. 14 shows operation timing for a case where the lead 5 c and the pad 4 d are not bonded to each other by the bonding wire 6 d. Unlike FIG. 13, the electric potential of the pad 4 d (N1) in FIG. 14 does not keep indicating the same logical level throughout the entire period (t0˜t3).

In a period t0˜t1 where the reset signal (N2) is at the H level, the output (N3) of the inverter 15 is at the L level and the output (N4) of the holding circuit 18 is held (at an indefinite value). The signal (N5) obtained by the logic inversion of the output of the holding circuit 18 and the output (N6) of the OR gate 17 are therefore indefinite values.

At t1, the reset signal (N2) changes from the H level to the L level. Accordingly, the holding circuit 18 receives an H-level output (N3) of the inverter 15, the output (N4) of the holding circuit 18 is at the H level, and the signal (N5) obtained by the logic inversion of the output of the holding circuit 18 is at the L level. The OR gate 17 receives an H-level output (N3) of the inverter 15, which changes the output (N6) of the OR gate 17 to the H level. This turns the Nch transistor 16 ON, but the pad 4 d (N1), which is bonded by the bonding wire 6 d, remains at an electric potential that indicates the H level.

At t2, the reset signal (N2) changes from the L level to the H level, changing the output (N3) of the inverter 15 from the H level to the L level. The output (N4) of the holding circuit 18 is held as a result. In short, a period between t1 and t2 is an operation mode selection period where the pull-down resistor 14 is connected to the pad 4 d, and the operation mode is established at t2. For example, when an H-level operation mode switching signal is to prompt a switch to Operation Mode One and an L-level operation mode switching signal is to prompt a switch to Operation Mode Two, the operation mode settles at Operation Mode One at t2 and the semiconductor device 1 operates in this mode from then on.

While the output (N3) of the inverter 15 changes from the H level to the L level at t2, the signal (N5) obtained by the logic inversion of the output of the holding circuit 18 remains at the H level. The output (N6) of the OR gate 17 is therefore maintained at the H level and the Nch transistor 16 is kept turned ON. In other words, when the pad 4 d is not bonded to the lead 5 c by the bonding wire 6 d, the pull-down resistor 14 is kept connected to the pad 4 d in periods subsequent to t2, where the operation mode is established.

In the case where the pad 4 d is bonded by the bonding wire 6 d, the pad 4 d is in an open state and causes malfunction. The operation mode selection circuit 8 b is capable of preventing the pad 4 d from being open when the pad 4 d is not bonded by the bonding wire 6 d with the use of the pull-down resistor 14. However, if unstableness is allowed in the electric potential from the pad 4 d to the input of the holding circuit 18, the signal obtained by the logic inversion of the output of the holding circuit 18 does not need the feedback path to the OR gate 17.

In this way, the functional block 9 receives from the operation mode selection circuit 8 b one of an H-level operation mode switching signal and an L-level operation mode switching signal which reflect the presence and absence of the bonding wire 6 d, respectively, and activates a circuit that implements a specific function relevant to the selected operation mode.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the pad 4 c and the operation mode selection pad 4 d are positioned in relation to each other such that the distance L2 from the center of the pad 4 d to the center of the pad 4 c connected to the lead 5 c, which is in some cases connected to the pad 4 d, is smaller than the distance L1 between normal pads (=other pads than the pads 4 c and 4 d), for example, the distance from the center of the pad 4 a to the center of the pad 4 b. With the pads placed along the perimeter of the chip in this manner, the length of the periphery of the chip which is determined by the number of the pads can be cut short by L1−L2. Specifically, when a product whose chip size is determined by the number of pads required to be placed along the perimeter of the chip is to meet users' individual requests by adding a mode pad, the chip can therefore be smaller in area according to the present invention where a mode pad (the pad 4 d) and an adjacent pad (the pad 4 c) connected to a lead that is in some cases connected to the mode pad are at the distance L2 from each other, than in a case where those pads are spaced apart by the distance L1.

The distance from the center of one normal pad to the center of another normal pad, which is L1 for all the normal pads in the first embodiment of the present invention, does not necessarily be uniform. The distance between the centers of normal pads can be varied if it is at least longer than the distance L2 and does not cause a loose connection.

The distance from the center of the pad 4 b to the center of the pad 4 c, and the distance from the center of the pad 4 d to the center of the pad 4 e are not clearly defined in FIG. 2 and other drawings. However, a contact between the bonding wires 6 that are connected to those pads causes a problem, and the pads 4 b to 4 e therefore need to be spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance L1.

The pads 4 connected to the lead 5 c in the first embodiment of the present invention are the pads 4 c and 4 d as shown in FIG. 2 and other drawings, but are not limited to this combination. Besides, while the first embodiment shows an example in which the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d are aligned in a direction parallel to one side of the chip 2 beside which the lead 5 c is placed (H1 of FIG. 2), the pads 4 c and the pad 4 d are not limited to this arrangement. Various modification examples can be thought of without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Representative modification examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 24.

FIG. 15 shows a case in which the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d are arranged in a zigzag alignment. The pad 4 d in FIG. 15 is closer to the central area of the chip than the pad 4 c is. The distance from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of the pad 4 d in this case can be reduced even more than in, for example, FIG. 2. With the pads arranged as in FIG. 15, the length of the periphery of the chip which is determined by the number of the pads can therefore be made even shorter than when the pads are arranged as in FIG. 2. The pad arrangement in FIG. 15 may be conversed so that the pad 4 c is nearer to the central area of the chip than the pad 4 d is. The distance from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of the pad 4 d in a direction perpendicular to (a direction horizontal to a side H2 of the chip shown in FIG. 15) one side (H1 in FIG. 15) of the chip 2 beside which the lead 5 c is placed may be L2.

FIG. 16 shows a case in which the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d are exactly flush with each other in a direction horizontal to one side (H1 in FIG. 16) of the chip 2 beside which the lead 5 c is placed, thereby forming two rows. When only components in a direction parallel to one side (H1 in FIG. 16) of the chip 2 beside which the lead 5 c is placed are to be considered, L2=0 as shown in FIG. 16. It is therefore sufficient if the distance L2 satisfies 0≦L2<L1. Since the pad arrangement shown in FIG. 16 sets L2 to 0, the length of the periphery of the chip which is determined by the number of the pads in FIG. 16 can be made even shorter than in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows a case in which two pads 4 d are installed to be bonded to the lead 5 c. In FIG. 17, the distance L2 is set as the distance from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of one pad 4 d and as the distance from the center of this pad 4 d to the center of another pad 4 d. With two pads 4 d (mode pads), a selection can be made from four different operation modes at maximum. The number of the pads 4 d may be three or more, and the pads 4 d may not be arranged in a zigzag pattern of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18 shows an example in which the pads 4 d (mode pads) are located at multiple points on the chip 2. The pads 4 d in FIG. 18 are present in regions B and C, which are circled by the dotted lines. The region B contains the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d that are bonded (or, bonded in some cases and not bonded in other cases) to the lead 5 c. The region C contains the pad 4 b and (two) pads 4 d that are bonded (or, bonded in some cases and not bonded in other cases) to the lead 5 b. When multiple mode pads are installed, the mode pads may be bonded separately to different leads as in this example. The region B which contains one mode pad (pad 4 d) provides two operation mode options. On the other hand, the region C which contains two mode pads (pads 4 d) provides four operation mode options. Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 18, a selection can be made from six different operation modes in total.

In the region B, the distance L2 from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of the pad 4 d is in a direction horizontal to one side (H1 in FIG. 18) of the chip 2 beside which the lead 5 c is placed. In the region C, the distance L2 from the center of the pad 4 c to the center of one pad 4 d is in a direction horizontal to one side (H2 in FIG. 18) of the chip 2 beside which the lead 5 b is placed. Thus, depending on in which part of the chip 2 the pads 4 are placed, the direction of the distance L2 is varied which is a direction horizontal to one side of the chip 2 beside which the lead 5 bonded to the pads 4 by bonding wires is placed, namely, a direction horizontal to one side of the perimeter of the chip 2 where the pad 4 c or the pad 4 d is placed. In FIG. 18, the leads and pads contained in the region B are located beside H1 and the leads and pads contained in the region C are located beside H2.

The lead that is in some cases connected to the mode pads (pads 4 d) in the region C is the lead 5 b for communicating input/output signals, instead of the lead 5 c for supplying a power supply electric potential. While the above description employs the lead 5 c as a lead that is in some cases connected to the mode pad (pad 4 d), the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the case where the lead 5 b for communicating input/output signals is a lead that is in some cases connected to the mode pad (pad 4 d), attention must be paid to changes in logical level of a signal input from the lead 5 b. Specifically, whether an operation mode is chosen at the H level or the L level needs to be determined in advance. In the case where an operation mode is to be chosen at the H level, the operation mode selection circuit 8 can have the same structure (FIGS. 11 and 12) as is the case for a lead connected to the power supply pad (pad 4 c), without causing a problem. In the case where in an operation mode is to be chosen at the L level, on the other hand, modifications are necessary such as replacing the pull-down resistor 14 of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 with a pull-up resistor and inverting the logic of the circuit operation.

In the above description, the lead 5 b functions as an input terminal, in other words, the pad 4 b (signal pad) contained in the region C functions as an input terminal when an operation mode is selected. Alternatively, the pad 4 b may also function as an output terminal in operation mode selection. This is accomplished by structuring the semiconductor device 1 such that a signal indicating a given logical level is output from the internal circuit 7 to the pad 4 b. Other than the lead 5 b, the lead 5 a or the lead 5 d may be a lead that is in some cases connected to the mode pad (pad 4 d).

FIG. 19 shows a case in which some of the pads 4 c and 4 d that are connected (or, connected in some cases and not connected in other cases) to the lead 5 c are smaller in size. In FIG. 19, the pad 4 c and one of the pads 4 d are smaller in size than other pads so-called normal pads (for example, the pads 4 b of FIG. 19). The another pad 4 d is the same size as the another pads called normal pads. The pad 4 c and two pads 4 d may be arranged in a zigzag alignment as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 shows a case in which a Y-shaped lead is employed to place the mode pad (pad 4 d) in a corner of the chip 2. While the leads 5 in the above description all have a linear shape and are arranged at regular intervals from each other, a Y-shaped lead as the one shown in FIG. 20 may also be employed. In FIG. 20, the Y-shaped lead 5 c is placed such that the two arms of the Y are aligned with two sides of the chip that meet in a corner of the chip. The pad 4 c which is bonded to the Y-shaped lead 5 c and the pad 4 d which is in some cases bonded to the Y-shaped lead 5 c are therefore placed along two different sides (two sides of the chip 2 that form a corner) of the perimeter of the chip 2. The pad 4 c and the pad 4 d in this case are spaced apart by the distance L2 in a direction horizontal to one of the two sides of the chip 1, the side H1 in FIG. 20, and in a direction horizontal to the other of the two sides of the chip 2, the side H2 in FIG. 20, respectively. When the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d are placed in a corner of the chip 2 as in this example, it is considered that the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d are placed along the perimeter of the chip 2 to separately surface the two sides that form the corner.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show a case of applying the present invention to a wire connection type ball grid array (BGA) package. FIG. 21 is a plan view of the chip 2 viewed from above, and FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D′ of FIG. 21. While external terminals in the above description are leads, conductor patterns arranged on a printed board 19 may serve as external terminals as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the semiconductor device 1 is structured such that a half of the printed board 19 is covered with the mold resin 3 to cover the chip 2 mounted onto the printed board 19. The conductor patterns (external terminals) 20 are arranged on the printed board 19, and are bonded to the pads 4, which are on the chip 2, by the bonding wires 6. The pad 4 c and the pad 4 d which are relevant to operation mode selection are connected to a conductive pattern 20 c. The conductor patterns 20 are connected to solder balls 22 through printed wiring lines 21.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show a case of applying the present invention to a flip chip connection type BGA package. FIG. 23 is a plan view showing the chip 2 and the printed board 19 (+ bumps 23) separately, and FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E′ of FIG. 23. Note that the chip 2 and the printed board 19 shown in FIG. 23 are stuck together through the bumps 23 such that E and E′ of the chip 2 coincide with E and E′ of the printed board 19, respectively. While the external terminals (leads 5, conductor patterns 20) and the internal terminals (pads 4) in the above description are bonded to each other by the bonding wires 6, measures other than wires may be employed to connect the internal terminals and the external terminals to each other as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the chip 2 is mounted as a flip chip to the printed board 19 to structure the semiconductor device 1. The bumps 23 are sandwiched between the pads 4 formed on the chip 2 and the conductor patterns 20 formed on the printed board 19, and electrically connect the pads 4 and the conductor patterns 20. The mold resin 3 is filled between the chip 2 and the printed board 19. The conductor patterns 20 are connected to the solder balls 22 through the printed wiring lines 21.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the pad 4 c is connected to the conductor pattern 20 c by a bump 23 a. The pad 4 d, which is a mode pad, is connected to the conductor pattern 20 c by a bump 23 b. In other words, the bump 23 b is present when an external terminal is bonded to the pad 4 d and is absent when no external terminal is bonded to the pad 4 d. An operation mode can be selected based on the presence or absence of the bump 23 b. With the pad 4 c and the pad 4 d at the distance L2 from each other, the bump 23 b when present could come into contact with the bump 23 a. However, a contact between the bumps 23 a and 23 b does not cause a problem.

Although the invention has been described above in connection with several preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that those embodiments are provided solely for illustrating the invention, and should not be relied upon to construe the appended claims in a limiting sense. 

1. A semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a first pad, a second pad, and a third pad that are placed along one side of a perimeter of the substrate; a circuit that is formed above the substrate, and that is coupled to the first pad; a first external terminal that is coupled to the second pad; and a second external terminal that is coupled to the third pad, wherein the circuit generates a signal indicative of a connection configuration between the first pad and the first external terminal, wherein the third pad is placed adjacent to one of the first pad and the second pad, wherein, in a direction parallel to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, the first pad, the second pad and the third pad have a first width, a second width and a third width, respectively, and wherein each of the first width of the first pad and the second width of the second pad is smaller than the third width of the third pad.
 2. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising: a fourth pad that is placed along the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, wherein the fourth pad is placed adjacent to one of the first pad and the second pad, and has a fourth width in the direction parallel to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, wherein the first pad and the second pad are placed between the third pad and the fourth pad, and wherein each of the first width and the second width is smaller than the fourth width.
 3. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a first signal, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises: a fourth pad that is placed along the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, and that is coupled to the circuit, wherein the circuit generates a second signal indicative of a connection configuration between the fourth pad and the first external terminal, and wherein the first pad, the second pad and the third pad are placed between the one side of the perimeter of the substrate and the fourth pad in a direction perpendicular to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate.
 4. The semiconductor device according to claim 3, wherein the fourth pad is placed between the first pad and the second pad in the direction parallel to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate.
 5. The semiconductor device according to claim 3, further comprising: a functional block that is coupled to the circuit, and that makes a circuit operate in an operation mode that is selected in accordance with the first signal and the second signal.
 6. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, further comprising: a functional block that is coupled to the circuit, and that makes a circuit operate in an operation mode that is selected in accordance with the signal.
 7. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a first signal, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises: a fourth pad that is placed along the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, and that is coupled to the circuit, and wherein the circuit generates a second signal indicative of a connection configuration between the fourth pad and the first external terminal.
 8. The semiconductor device according to claim 7, further comprising: a functional block that is coupled to the circuit, and that makes a circuit operate in an operation mode that is selected in accordance with the first signal and the second signal.
 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a first signal, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises: a third external terminal; a fourth pad that is formed above the substrate, and that is coupled to the circuit; and a fifth pad that is formed above the substrate, and that is coupled to the third external terminal, wherein the circuit generates a second signal indicative of a connection configuration between the fourth pad and the third external terminal, wherein the third external terminal is different from the first external terminal, and wherein the fourth pad is different from the first pad.
 10. The semiconductor device according to claim 9, wherein the fourth pad and the fifth pad are arranged in a zigzag alignment.
 11. The semiconductor device according to claim 9, wherein the first external terminal includes a first lead frame coupled to the second pad by a first wire, wherein the second external terminal includes a second lead frame coupled to the third pad by a second wire, and wherein the third external terminal includes a third lead frame coupled to the fifth pad by a third wire.
 12. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the first external terminal includes a first lead frame coupled to the second pad by a first wire, and wherein the second external terminal includes a second lead frame coupled to the third pad by a second wire.
 13. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a first substrate, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises a second substrate, wherein the first substrate is laid on top of the second substrate, wherein the first external terminal is formed above the second substrate and includes a first conductor pattern coupled to the second pad by a first wire, and wherein the second external terminal is formed above the second substrate and includes a second conductor pattern coupled to the third pad by a second wire.
 14. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a first substrate, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises a second substrate, wherein the first substrate is coupled to the second substrate by a flip chip connection, wherein the first external terminal is formed above the second substrate and includes a first conductor pattern coupled to the second pad by a first bump, and wherein the second external terminal is formed above the second substrate and includes a second conductor pattern coupled to the third pad by a second bump.
 15. A semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a first pad, a second pad and a third pad that are placed along one side of a perimeter of the substrate; and a circuit that is formed above the substrate, and that is coupled to the first pad, wherein the first pad and the second pad are connectable to a first external terminal, wherein the third pad is connectable to a second external terminal, wherein the circuit generates a signal indicative of a connection configuration between the first pad and the first external terminal, wherein the third pad is placed adjacent to one of the first pad and the second pad, wherein, in a direction parallel to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, the first pad, the second pad and the third pad have a first width, a second width and a third width, respectively, and wherein each of the first width of the first pad and the second width of the second pad is smaller than the third width of the third pad.
 16. The semiconductor device according to claim 15, further comprising: a fourth pad that is placed along the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, wherein the fourth pad is placed adjacent to one of the first pad and the second pad, and has a fourth width in the direction parallel to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, wherein the first pad and the second pad are placed between the third pad and the fourth pad, and wherein each of the first width and the second width is smaller than the fourth width.
 17. The semiconductor device according to claim 15, wherein the signal comprises a first signal, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises: a fourth pad that is placed along the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, and that is coupled to the circuit, wherein the circuit generates a second signal indicative of a connection configuration between the fourth pad and the first external terminal, and wherein the first pad, the second pad and the third pad are placed between the one side of the perimeter of the substrate and the fourth pad in a direction perpendicular to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate.
 18. The semiconductor device according to claim 17, wherein the fourth pad is placed between the first pad and the second pad in the direction parallel to the one side of the perimeter of the substrate.
 19. The semiconductor device according to claim 15, further comprising: a functional block that is coupled to the circuit, and that makes a circuit operate in an operation mode that is selected in accordance with the signal.
 20. The semiconductor device according to claim 15, wherein the signal comprises a first signal, wherein the semiconductor device further comprises: a fourth pad that is placed along the one side of the perimeter of the substrate, and that is coupled to the circuit, and wherein the circuit generates a second signal indicative of a connection configuration between the fourth pad and the first external terminal. 